November 1644

Three forts to be erected in Lincoln and Northampton.; Six score Dragoons of Association to be employed in this district; Earl of Manchester to appoint Commander in-Chief of Forces and Forts.

Whereas the late surprisal of the Garison of Crowland in the
County of Lincoln by the Forces raised in opposition to the
King and Parliament, is very prejudicial and of ill consequence
to the several Counties Associated under the Command of the
Earl of Manchester, as also to great part of the County of Northampton next adjoyning to the same, and by reason of the unseasonableness of the weather, the approaches to the said Garison
are become so unaccessable, that though Forces were drawn down
to reduce the same, it cannot now possibly be done without much
charge and difficulty; And whereas the best means to prevent
the Inroads, Plunderings and other Out-rages of the said Garison, and also to hinder the same from Provisions of Corn and
other Supplies, is advised to be by erecting and furnishing of
three several Forts or Sconces, the charge of which will amount
to neer about Six hundred pounds: One neer a place called
Brother-House in the County of Lincoln, another upon Dowsdale Banck in the said County, and a third upon Burrow Banck
in the County of Northampton, each of which is to be manned
with Fifty men or thereabouts, and to have attending to the
same, one Boat of defence, to be contrived and built by the direction of the Commander in chief of the said several Forces: Be it
therefore Ordained by the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, and by the Authority of the same, That the said three
several Forts or Sconces be raised and erected in the place aforesaid,
as by the advice of the Commander in chief of the said Fort,
shall be thought most convenient and advantagious for the ends
and causes heretofore expressed, Two of the which said Forts or
Sconces in the County of Lincoln, together with two such Boats
as aforesaid to be erected, framed, manned and furnished with
Arms, Ammunition, Victual and all other things necessary for
the defence and maintenance of the same. And the said men to
be paid during the time they shall continue in the said Service,
at the proper cost and charges of the said Association; the other
Fort in the County of Northampton, together with one such Boat
as aforesaid, erected, framed, manned and furnished with Arms,
Ammunition, Victual and all other Provisions, and things necessary for the defence and maintenance of the same; And the said
men to be paid during the time they shall continue in the said
Service, at the proper cost and charge of the said County of
Northampton, by the direction and appointment of the Committee for the said County, who hereby shall have full Power
and Authority to Tax and Rate the said County for the raising,
erecting and maintaining of the said Forts, Boats and Forces;
and whereas by reason of the divers and various Creeks and
Drains in the several Fens wherewith the said Garison of Crowland is environed, the said Forts or Sconces, though haply they
may stop and hinder the principal and ordinary passages and
accesses to the said Garison, yet they cannot possibly prevent the
issuing out of small Boats with parties to the Towns and Villages
adjacent. And be it further Ordained, That Six score of Horse
and Dragoons maintained by the Association, shall be sent and
imployed in those parts for the securing of the said Associated
Counties, and Blocking up of the said Garison of Crowland; and
that Three score of the Horse and Dragoons maintained by the
County of Northampton, shall be sent and imployed in those parts
for the securing of the said County, and Blocking up of the said
Garison of Crowland.

And be it further Ordained, That the Earl of Manchester do
nominate and appoint a Commander in chief, to Command the
said Forces, Forts and Sconces.

Discretion as to situation of Forts.

And be it lastly Ordained, That they shall have power to raise
the said Forts or Sconces in the places aforesaid, or in any other
place by and with the advice of the Committee for the said
Association.